Lady&#39;s handbag



Oct. 9, 1955 D. KWON 2,765,833

- LADYS HANDBAG Filed June 1, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 00/0 Kwon INVEN TOR.

Oct. 9, 1956 D. KWON 2,?65,833

LADYS HANDBAG Filed June l,- 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 62 0am Kwon INVENTOR.

4a is 40 MM United States Patent LADYS HANDBAG Doin Kwon, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii Application June 1, 1954, Serial No. 433,349

7 Claims. (Cl. 150-33) This invention relates in general to improvements in ladies handbags, and more particularly to improvements in the construction of ladies handbags.

The primary object of this invention is to provide an improved ladies handbag which includes a ilexible cordlike member which may be utilized both as a handle for the handbag and as the means for opening and closing the handbag without the necessity of touching the handbag itself.

Another object of this invention is to provide an proved ladies handbag wherein the bottom, sides, and top of the handbag are formed of :a single strip of material, the strip of material having end portions in the form of flaps which are foldable to out-ofthe-way positions so as to permit access to the interior of the handbag.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved handbag construction which includes a handle so mounted whereby it may be utilized in the opening and closing of the handbag, the handle being formed of a cordlike member and being associated with flaps forming the upper portion of the handbag.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved handbag construction wherein the upper portion thereof is flexible and the lower portion thereof is relatively rigid, the upper portion being collapsible into the lower portion for purposes of storage.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure '1 is a perspective view of a preferred form of handbag and shows the general details thereof;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a modified form of handbag and shows the general details thereof;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line '33 of Figure 2 and shows the general construction of a hand grip for the handle of the handbag of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of one of the handles of the handbag of Figure 1 and shows the manner in which a grip member is secured to a cord-like member forming the handle;

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the handbag of Figure l and shows the flaps thereof being moved to an open position by pulling upon the ring-like portions of the handles thereof;

Figure 6 is a top plan view similar to Figure 5 and shows the flaps of the handbag being moved to a closed position by pulling upon the grip members of the handles;

Figure 7 is a top plan View of the handbag of Figure 2 and shows the same being moved to a closed position by pulling upon the grip members of the handles;

Figure 8 is a top plan View similar to Figure 7 and shows the flaps of the handbag of Figure 2 being moved to open positions by pulling upon ring-like {portions of the handles;

ice

Figure 9 is a schematic view of the arrangement of the handles of the handbag of Figure 1 and shows the same as they would appear when connected to the hands;

Figure 10 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 1010 of Figure '1 and shows the general construction of the handbag of Figure 1; and

Figure 11 is an enlarged transverse vertical sectional view taken through the handbag of Figure '2 with the upper portion thereof illustrated in its flat position.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be seen that there is illustrated in Figures 1, 5, 6, 9 and 10, the details of the construction of a preferred form of hand bag which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 10. The handbag 10 includes a pair of spaced end walls 12 which have secured thereto a strip .14 which forms the bottom, sides and top of the handbag 10. The free ends of the strip 14 are in the form of flaps 16 which are not secured to the end walls :12. The flaps 16 are free to swing to handbag open positions such as those illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 and terminate at their free edges in rolled longitudinally extending loops 1%.

Extending longitudinally between the end walls 12 and secured thereto in suspended relation therebetween is a change purse 20. It Will be noted that the change purse 20 is disposed in the middle of the handbag I10 and acts as a divider for the interior thereof. The top of the change purse '20 is closed by a slide fastener 22.

In order that the handbag may be easily carried, there is provided a pair of identical handles 24. Each of the handles 24 is formed of la flexible cord-like member 26 which is in the form of an endless loop. Secured to the cord-like member 26 in spaced relation is an elongated tubular grip member 28 and a ring-like member 30. The cord-like member 26 may be secured to the ring-like member 60 in any desired manner and is secured to the grip member 28 by being passed therethrough and then secured thereto by a suitable stitching 32.

Referring now to Figures 9 and 10, in particular, it will be seen that when the handles 24 are properly disposed, the cord-like members 26 are disposed in partial overlying, oppositely direct relation. A portion of each of .the cord-like members 26 is passed through one of the tubular portions 118 with a ring-like member 30 of each handle 24 being disposed at an end of the tubular portions 18 remote from the grip member 28 thereof.

It will be seen that when the grip members :28 of the handles 24 are pulled in opposite directions, the ringlike members 30 will move toward the ends of the tubular portions 18 with the result that the tubular portions 18 will be drawn together in the direction of the arrows and the flaps 16 moved to closed position.

When it is desired to open the handbag 10, the ringlike members 30 are pulled away from the main portions of the handbag 10 as best illustrated in Figure 5. This releases the tubular portions 18 and permits them to spread apart so that the flaps 16 may be moved to open position. Access is then gained to interior of the handbag 10, as is best illustrated in Figure 5.

Refering now to Figures 2, 7, 8 and 11, in particular, it will be seen that there is shown the details of a modified form of handbag which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 34. The handbag 34 includes a container which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 36. The container 36 includes spaced parallel side walls 38 which are connected together at their ends by spaced parallel end walls 40. The container 36 also includes a bottom wall 42 although the top thereof is generally considered open. It is preferred that the container 36 be relatively rigid and, accordingly, the side walls 38 and the end walls 40 are formed of a plurality of rigid strips, such as reeds 44 which are connected together at spaced intervals by suitable stitching 46. If desired, the bottom Wall 42 may be similarly constructed.

Secured to the upper edge of the container 36 and projecting upwardly therefrom is a flexible top portion 48 which may be considered as having opposed flaps 50. When the upper edges of the flaps 50 are in abutting relation, the top portion 48 is closed and access may not be gained to the interior of the container 36. However, when the flaps 50 are pulled apart, as is illustrated in Figure 8, access to the interior of the container 36 may be obtained.

In order to both facilitate the carrying of the handbag 34 and to control the opening and closing of the flaps 50, there is provided a pair of identical handles, each of the handles being referred to in general by the reference numeral 52. Each handle 52 includes an elongated cord-like member 54 which is in the form of a continuous loop. Each cord-like member 54 passes through aligned eyelets 56 in the upper edge portions of the flaps 50 and extend along one of the upper edge portions of a flap 50. Each cord-like member is secured to its flap 50 intermediate the eyelets 56 thereof by a pair of spaced fasteners 58. The fasteners 58 are so related that a portion of the cord-like member 54 is looped to form a ring-like part 60. Carried by each of the cord-like members 54 is a grip member which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 62. The grip member 62 is disposed remote from the ring-like part 60. Each of the grip members 62 is formed by a plurality of rigid members, such as reeds 64 which are secured together at spaced intervals by suitable stitching 66. The reeds 64 are wrapped around an intermediate portion of each cord-like member 54, as best illustrated in Figure 3 and have their ends reinforced by collars 68. It is to be understood that the grip members 62 are formed of the same material as is the container 36.

Referring now to Figure 11 in particular, it will be seen that when it is desired to store the handbag 34, it is necessary to first empty the container 36. Then the top portion 48 together with the handles 52, may be collapsed downwardly into the confines of the container 36. When so arranged, the handbag 34 may be easily stored.

Referring now to Figure 8 in particular, it will be seen that when it is desired to open the handbag 34, it is merely necessary to place ones fingers inside the ringlike parts 60 and pull them in opposite directions. This results in the movement of the flaps 50 away from each other so that access to the interior of the container 36 may be obtained.

When it is desired to close the handbag 34 by moving the flaps 50 toward each other and into abutting engagement, it is merely necessary to pull upon the grip members 62. This results in the movement of the flaps 50 toward each other so as to seal the top portion 48 of the handbag 34.

From the foregoing, the construction and operation of the device will be readily understood and further explanation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A handbag construction comprising a container including upwardly projecting opposed flaps having abutting upper edge portions, said edge portions being movable apart to permit access to the interior of said container, cord-like members connected to said edge portions forming combined handles and fastening means for said flaps, said cord-like members each being of loop form and having inner portions in opposed overlying relation, outer portions of said cord-like members being provided with grip members, said grip members tensioning said cord-like members and urging said flaps to a handbag closing position when said cord-like members are utilized as a handle, said inner portions being provided with ring-like parts to facilitate the movement of said cord-like members to a flap releasing position.

2. A handbag construction comprising a container including upwardly projecting opposed flaps having abutting upper edge portions, said edge portions being movable apart to permit access to the interior of said container, cord-like members connected to said edge portions forming combined handles and fastening means for said flaps, said cord-like members each being of loop form and having inner portions in opposed overlying relation, each of said inner portions passing through one of said edge portions and being secured to the other of said edge portions.

3. A handbag construction comprising a container including upwardly projecting opposed flaps having abutting upper edge portions, said edge portions being movable apart to permit access to the interior of said container, cord-like members connected to said edge portions forming combined handles and fastening means for said flaps, said cord-like members each being of loop form and having inner portions in opposed overlying relation, said edge portions being tubular, said cord-like members passing through said edge portions, outer portions of said cord like members being provided with grip members, said grip members tensioning said cord-like members and urging said flaps to a handbag closing position When said cord-like members are utilized as a handle, said inner portions being provided with ring-like parts to facilitate the movement of said cord-like members to a flap releasing position.

4. A handbag construction comprising a container including upwardly projecting opposed flaps having abutting upper edge portions, said edge portions being movable apart to permit access to the interior of said container, cord-like members connected to said edge portions forming combined handles and fastening means for said flaps, said cord-like members each being of loop form and having inner portions in opposed overlying relation, said edge portions being tubular, said cord-like members passing through said edge portions, outer portions of said cordlike members being provided with grip members, said grip members tensioning said cord-like members and urging said flaps to a handbag closing position when said cordlike members are utilized as a handle, said inner portions being provided with ring-like parts to facilitate the movement of said cord-like members to a flap releasing position, said edge portions being disposed intermediate said grip members and said ring-like parts.

5. A handbag construction comprising a container including upwardly projecting opposed flaps having abutting upper edge portions, said edge portions being movable apart to permit access to the interior of said container, cord-like members connected to said edge portions forming combined handles and fastening means for said flaps, said cord-like members each being of loop form and having inner portions in opposed overlying relation, each of said inner portions passing through one of said edge portions and being secured to the other of said edge portions, at spaced points, each inner portion being bowed intermediate said spaced points to form ring-like parts to facilitate the movement of said flaps to open positions.

6. A handbag construction comprising a container including upwardly projecting opposed flaps having abutting upper edge portions, said edge portions being movable apart to permit access tothe interior of said container, cord-like members connected to said edge portions forming combined handles and fastening means for said flaps, said cord-like members each being of loop form, said edge portions having spaced aligned openings, said cordlilge members passing through said openings and being oppositely disposed, each cord-like member having an inner portion secured to a remote one of said edge portions.

7. A handbag construction comprising a container including upwardly projecting opposed flaps having abutting upper edge portions, said edge portions being movable apart to permit access to the interior of said container, cord-like members connected to said edge portions forming combined handles and fastening means for said flaps, said cord-like members each being of loop form, said edge portions having spaced aligned openings, said cordlike members passing through said openings and being oppositely disposed, each cord like member having an References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,444,558 Elliott July 6, 1948 2,487,145 Kuhlman Nov. 8, 1949 2,570,851 Peyser Oct. 9, 1951 2,635,664

Cohen Apr. 21, 1953 

